'Tired' Diop skips Senegal friendly

Portsmouth's £3million midfielder Papa Bouba Diop has put club before country by opting out of an international friendly against Guinea and a Senegal training camp to rest a damaged hamstring.

Diop, signed from Fulham last month and already a big favourite with the Fratton Park fans after playing a key role in a four-match winning run, told Pompey's official website, www.portsmouthfc.co.uk: "I'm just too tired."

The 29-year-old giant, who had to come off early with a tight hamstring during the 2-0 win over his old club at Craven Cottage a week last Sunday, explained: "It is only a small injury and I should be fine for next game against Wigan (on Saturday).

"But I thought it was good for me, and good for the team to have some time off rather than go away with the national side.

"I want to be able to give my best for Portsmouth and sometimes you need a rest to be able to do that."

But while Diop looks certain to continue his ever-present run for Pompey at Wigan, striker Kanu and defender Linvoy Primus still look likely to have to wait for their comebacks.

Primus, 33, feared he had a new problem with the knee on which he had surgery in May, but a specialist has cleared him to return to full training next week and Pompey physio Gary Sadler said: "We were concerned Linvoy had aggravated the old injury or picked up a new one but that's not the case.

"He is in the gym now building up the muscles around the knee in preparation for a return to training next week."

Primus has not been fit enough for the first-team squad all season and Kanu's knee injury has kept him out of the last three games.

The Nigerian went for specialist treatment in France last week and is reported to be making progress - but the Wigan game appears to be coming too early for him.